s
voice, and obey it, that you may seal to the testimony of your fathers,
by the truth and evidence of your own experience: that your children's
children may bless you, and the Lord for you, as those that delivered a
faithful example, as well as record of the truth of God unto them. So
will the grey hairs of your dear parents, yet alive, go down to the grave
with joy, to see you the posterity of truth, as well as theirs: and that
not only their nature, but spirit, shall live in you when they are gone.

* * * * *

I shall conclude this account with a few words to those who are not of
our communion, into whose hands this may come; especially those of our
own nation.

* * * * *

Friends, as you are the sons and daughters of Adam, and my brethren after
the flesh, often and earnest have been my desires and prayers to God on
your behalf, that you may come to know your Creator to be your Redeemer,
and Restorer to the holy image that through sin you have lost, by the
power and Spirit of his Son Jesus Christ, whom he hath given for the
light and life of the world. And O that you, who are called Christians,
would receive him into your hearts! for there it is you want him, and at
that door he stands knocking, that you might let him in; but you do not
open to him; you are full of other guests, so that a manger is his lot
among you now as well as of old. Yet you are full of profession, as were
the Jews when he came among them, who knew him not, but rejected and
evily entreated him. So that if you come not to the possession and
experience of what you profess, all your formality and religion will
stand you in no stead in the day of God's judgment.

I beseech you ponder with yourselves your eternal condition, and see what
title, what ground and foundation you have for your Christianity: if more
than a profession, and an historical belief of the gospel. Have you
known the baptism of fire, and the Holy Ghost, and the fan of Christ that
winnows away the chaff in your minds, the carnal lusts, and affections;
that divine leaven of the kingdom, that, being received, leavens the
whole lump of man, sanctifying him throughout in body, soul, and spirit?
If this be not the ground of your confidence, you are in a miserable
state.

You will say, perhaps, that though you are sinners, and live in daily
commission of sin, and are not sanctified, as I have been speaking, yet
you have faith in Christ, who has borne the curse for you, and in